Cod Liver Oil for Acne: What to know

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Many people experience breakouts in their adolescent years, and although some are fortunate to have clear skin when they get to adulthood, others still have them.

Technically, adult acne does not pose severe harm to a person’s health, but it could affect confidence. Most acne treatment contains synthetic ingredients, but cod liver oil is a 100% natural alternative treatment that helps the skin’s health.

Many people claim that cod liver oil for acne is very effective. Please continue reading to learn how this oil will benefit you. But before we discuss how it helps treat acne, let’s discuss its root causes.

Three factors cause acne formation:

  • Bacterial contamination
  • Excessive sebum production
  • Clogged-up pore caused by dead skin cells

Many people don’t know acne does not appear in its cystic acne form or that red and painful bump on your skin. Also, blackheads and pimples are considered acne.

Although they have one thing in common, if you scratch them, they could result in a scar on the skin. They mostly affect the neck and face, but acne can break out in other body parts, such as the hands, back, and chest.

Does Cod Liver Oil Help with Acne?

As the name implies, Cod liver oil is made from codfish’s liver, which is suggested to contain some nutrients good for human health. This supplement has been used to boost immunity, but it recently gained a reputation as a natural acne remedy.

The ingredients in cod liver oil offer promising results in treating acne and preventing future breakouts.

Vitamin A

Cod liver oil contains vitamin A. And vitamin A contains retinoic acid, a constituent that improves cell health, implying that consuming enough vitamin A will renew your body cells.

In other words, the damaged cells will be replaced with new cells. Because of this, acne scars and spots on the skin will be reduced. In addition, vitamin A minimizes sebum production, which eventually regulates the onset of an acne breakout.

Since the quantity of sebum is regulated, it reduces the risk of having clogged skin pores. Vitamin A in cod liver oil works more effectively than in vitamin supplements.

Vitamin D

Also, cod liver oil contains vitamin D. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Dermatology revealed that vitamin is helpful for the human skin. It contains anti-comedogenic and antioxidant properties.

It can as well combat free radicals in the body that eventually prevents skin damage. Vitamin D has also been discovered to lessen sebum production.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Cod liver oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, important for fighting acne.

These fatty acids help prevent inflammations; thus, having enough vitamin D can help if you have cystic acne. Omega-3 fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties, implying there may be no side effects to consuming them.

Scar removal

It is no news that acne often leaves scar marks on the skin. If you are unfortunate to have scratched ones, they may take longer to disappear. This can be not very pleasant for most people, particularly if you have wanted clear skin before.

As stated earlier, vitamin A in cod liver oil aids in renewing cells. This implies that you will observe that your acne scars are fading faster than before. However, you should be realistic about the situation and bear in mind that no acne solution offers instant results.

Cod liver oil will lessen acne and pimple scars, but it may take some time before you notice your desired results.

How to Take Cod Liver Oil for Acne

The main benefit of cod liver oil is its therapeutic properties. It not only replaces damaged skin but also enhances healthy hair, teeth, nails, brain, bone, and blood circulation.

Today, there are many cod liver oil products available in the market and online, but as with many products, their potency varies from person to person.

Generally, cod liver oil is delivered in two types: refined and fermented. Refined cod liver oil is made by mixing fatty codfish tissues and further treating it with chemicals.

The procedure seems to strain the oil away together with the vital nutrients the body needs. Because of this, manufacturers have to incorporate synthetic vitamins into the solution.

On the other hand, fermented cod liver oil takes a long time to make, but it is void of chemical or bleaching agents.

It is made by fermenting cod liver in seawater-filled barrels that have not been used for many months. The end product is cod liver oil in its purest form, void of any mixture of chemicals.

Cod liver oil has a strong and special taste, and for people who do not like it, another option is to apply topical cod liver oil ointments or creams. Another alternative is to consume cod liver oil for acne with honey to balance the bitterness.

Conclusion

Cod liver oil is a good and nutritious fish oil used in liquid or gel capsules. It is easy to add to your food and contains vitamin A, D, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Thus, there are many potential health benefits to expect from cod liver oil, especially when healing acne and other inflammations. When using cod liver oil, always be careful and only use supplements in the ideal amount.

Also, you should have realistic expectations when using this type of fish oil.

Remember that clear skin cannot be achieved overnight, and cod liver oil isn’t magic. You may need to wait for some weeks to see your desired result.

Kindly comment below if you have any questions or contributions on cod liver oil for acne. We will love to hear from you soon.

Mary is the Senior Director of Medical Affairs at Health Parrots. She brings her years of clinical and healthcare technology experience to help consistently create high quality, concise and engaging content and products that uphold the highest medical integrity. She is an M.D. recipient from Baylor College of Medicine and completed her residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, TX. After years of clinical practice, Dr. Le transitioned from clinical medicine to healthcare technology through her work at Epocrates, where she developed clinical news products and disease and drug content. With her wealth of experience, She has also helped create an EHR, secure messaging products, and clinical decision support tools for healthcare systems.

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